The Younger Agent - Natasha Romanoff x OC

Chapter 1 - An Interrupted Lunch

D.C, USA - 24th September 2008

"Agent Hughes!" Maria Hill shouted from across the room. 

"Maria, you're ba-" the speaker was cut short by a firm hug from the former. Pulling away from the hug, Maria looked at the young woman before her, taking in her features after not seeing her for months. Strawberry blonde hair tied into dutch plaits, and bright blue eyes staring back at her.
"Yep. Hope you didn't miss me too much El", she said with a small smirk.
"Miss you?! Never!", Eleanor returned with an even bigger smirk, causing her to be punched in her right shoulder. 

"OW, was there any need for that Agent Hill", she joked whilst rubbing her arm, exaggerating the pain she was feeling, earning an eye roll from the other Agent. 

Maria Hill wasn't the type to be 'buddy buddy' with coworkers, she was high up in command and was respected by most people in the organisation, and that was not earned by becoming best friends with everyone. That being said, after working with the now Agent Hughes when the girl was merely 14 after her father's assassination, Maria felt a sense of responsibility for the girl.

Eleanor had continued to live with her aunt up until the age of 19, Maria had kept in touch with her the entire time, and it was her idea to fill her father's shoes by joining SHIELD, which Eleanor happily accepted. This was also an excuse for the two to not be living halfway across the world from each other anymore. This was two years ago and the pair had only grown closer since, developing a sister-like relationship.

The two were interrupted by Coulson appearing at their sides, seemingly out of nowhere. "Hill, you're needed in the briefing room, Fury needs to discuss the results of your most recent mission", he said with a small smile on his face. Everyone loved Coulson, it was like the man could do no wrong.

"Of course, I'll be there right away, I'll catch up with you later Hughes", she said turning to the younger girl, both giving each other large genuine smiles, happy to see each other again. 

Eleanor watched Maria walking away before turning to face Coulson, "Lunch?". It was rare that the two got to spend time together as Coulson was sent around all over the place, so Eleanor thought it would be a nice opportunity to have a catch-up. 

He gave a small chuckle, "Sure". The two started walking towards the cafeteria in the Triskelion.
"Any news on Barton?".
"Actually, he contacted us a couple of hours ago, no clue what mess he's gotten himself into, only telling me that Fury is going to be livid".
She scrunched her eyebrows in confusion, how badly Barton had to have messed up for him to be so cryptic, prolonging the inevitable rage that would be directed at him by Fury.

Clint and Eleanor were friends, they had been on a few missions together and in general, enjoyed each other's company. Sometimes they met in common areas with coffee to get through the copious amounts of paperwork together. She didn't let it show, but she was concerned at the idea of her friend facing the wrath of Fury, but still, she dropped it so she could enjoy lunch with Coulson before cleaning up Barton's messes when he returns.

---

Whilst in the middle of eating her salad and pizza slice, and enjoying a general and light-hearted conversation with Coulson, she received a text.

"My office. ASAP". 

She internally groaned after seeing who the message was from, and was also annoyed at her lunch for being cut short. Correctly assuming Clint was the cause of this, it was another reason to be annoyed at him. 

"Sorry Coulson, but duty calls", she said whilst giving him a small salute as she was standing up, earning a small chuckle in response. Collecting her half-eaten lunch, she trudged over to the bin, reluctant to throw her meal away, but remembering who she was supposed to be rushing to, she launched it.